Jerry York, the previous coach of Columbus Blue Jackets participant Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau, is reacting to their deaths.
York described the brothers’ deaths as a “nightmare” in an interview with CNN on Friday, Aug. 30.
“This morning I received woken up by one in all my former assistants, Mike Galvanar, who simply knowledgeable me of what occurred,” the previous Boston School males’s hockey coach advised the outlet, including, “… I used to be simply beside myself.”
Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, died in a biking accident near their hometown of Salem County, New Jersey, on Thursday, Aug. 29, ipromiseyoumedia beforehand confirmed. They have been within the space to seem as groomsmen at their sister’s wedding ceremony the next day.
York recalled extra reminiscences of the brothers and their household in his dialog with CNN, telling the outlet, “I like the household … [They] got here to each sport. To attempt to think about what their household goes via … it is simply so tough for me. However they’re an exquisite household.”
He then known as the brothers’ mother Jane and pop Man “Corridor of Fame dad and mom” who “have been all the time entrance and heart” at their matches. “[They] produced two sons that left a outstanding mark on Boston school college students, athletes and alumni. Simply terrific younger guys,” mirrored York.
The previous coach additionally mentioned that Johnny and Matthew’s deaths have left all people within the hockey group “surprised.”
“All people’s surprised from Olympic teammates, to Calgary teammates, to Columbus teammates, to all of Boston School right here,” York advised CNN. “… ‘Johnny Hockey,’ as all of them fondly known as him, and his youthful brother Matt have been simply hockey folks. They beloved hockey.”
The previous coach subsequent described the brothers as “outstanding” on the ice. He concluded, “God, I miss them already.”
Johnny and Matthew have been biking on Nation Route 551 North simply after 8 p.m. on Aug. 29 when a driver fatally hit them after trying to move one other automotive, New Jersey State Police beforehand advised ipromiseyoumedia.
The motive force, Sean M. Higgins, was suspected to be drunk, and he was charged with two counts of dying by auto and arrested. An investigation is ongoing.
The brothers performed at Boston School earlier than Johnny went professional and was drafted by the Calgary Flames in 2014. After eight seasons with the crew, he signed a seven-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2022.
Matthew, in the meantime, performed for a number of minor league groups, and within the final two years, he was head coach of their highschool crew, Gloucester Catholic Excessive in New Jersey, per Elite Prospects.
In an announcement on X (previously Twitter) on Friday, Aug. 30, the Blue Jackets wrote, “The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy.”
They added, “Johnny was not solely an excellent hockey participant, however extra considerably a loving husband, father, son, brother and buddy.”
Johnny is survived by his spouse, Meredith, and their two kids, daughter Noa, who turns 2 in October, and son Johnny, 7 months.
Matthew is survived by his spouse Madeline, who’s presently pregnant and anticipating their first child.
